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The Crash
The nightmare she’s running from is nothing compared to where she’s headed.
Tegan is eight months pregnant, alone, and desperately wants to put her crumbling life in the rearview mirror. So she hits the road, planning to stay with her brother until she can figure out her next move. But she doesn’t realize she’s heading straight into a blizzard.
She never arrives at her destination.
Stranded in rural Maine with a dead car and broken ankle, Tegan worries she’s made a terrible mistake. Then a miracle she is rescued by a couple who offers her a room in their warm cabin until the snow clears.
But something isn’t right. Tegan believed she was waiting out the storm, but as time ticks by, she comes to realize she is in grave danger. This safe haven isn’t what she thought it was, and staying here may have been her most deadly mistake yet.
And now she must do whatever it takes to save herself—and her unborn child.
A gut-wrenching story of motherhood, survival, and twisted expectations, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a snowbound thriller that will chill you to the bone.
Tegan is eight months pregnant, alone, and desperately wants to put her crumbling life in the rearview mirror. So she hits the road, planning to stay with her brother until she can figure out her next move. But she doesn’t realize she’s heading straight into a blizzard.
She never arrives at her destination.
Stranded in rural Maine with a dead car and broken ankle, Tegan worries she’s made a terrible mistake. Then a miracle she is rescued by a couple who offers her a room in their warm cabin until the snow clears.
But something isn’t right. Tegan believed she was waiting out the storm, but as time ticks by, she comes to realize she is in grave danger. This safe haven isn’t what she thought it was, and staying here may have been her most deadly mistake yet.
And now she must do whatever it takes to save herself—and her unborn child.
A gut-wrenching story of motherhood, survival, and twisted expectations, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a snowbound thriller that will chill you to the bone.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2025
42412 people are currently reading
333428 people want to read
About the author
Freida McFadden
68 books210k followers#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40,509 reviews
March 4, 2025
2.75!
Where the fuck do I even start-
I was supposed to start it on the 28th but I scrolled insta all day 🧍🏻 and yesterday I actually had no hot to read this but l because I had so many assignments.... So by the time I got done ( 1 am) I picked this up and I literally finished it by 4:40 😭😭 like I read it so quick and I actually had no hopes of read it this quick but it was very easy to read.
I think that's what I like about Freida McFaddens books they are very enjoyable and easy to read so like that automatically puts them on the three star region and the plot twist or how well she carries the whole plot determines whether it's 4/5 or 2 😭 and in this instance it was the latter. While I love the thrilling vibe (minimal, but still enticing) and the fast paced nature of this book, I could not overlook the factors that hindered my enjoyment level for this book.
I don't know though to be honest, if the cause of this is Frieda working overtime when writing isn't even her full-time job, to publish four novels a year that is putting a strain in the quality of the books that she publishes but I fear, it's time for her to take a break because no matter what I rate a Freida book, I always manage to enjoy it. I've not read that many books by her- only 6 (including this one) and this and the one that was published before this were the only ones I rated two stars so the quality of her new books is definitely dropping. Her books are a guilty pleasure for me. You give me her books and I would enjoy them sm so I actually cannot give up on this author 😭✋🏻 but the plot twist in this one was the weakest and honestly it kind of made the plot look shallow.
Enough yapping ✋🏻 time to get to the characters.
Tegan, for a Freida McFadden FMC...she was actually decent loll. She didn't make me want to pull my hair out in frustration and she also had me hooked in her monologue like I was very invested and at first I thought the story revolving her would deal with her soon to be born babys daddy 😭 but boy was I wrong because the crash happened and everything switched and honestly I still didn't mind it. She was willing to fight and was actually smart (as compared to Frieda's other FMC'S 🙏🏻). I feel like Freida did a smart thing by making her injured so like she quite literally was bound otherwise I'm pretty sure considering the way this story went she would have annoyed the fuck out of me but I'm glad that didn't happen.
Polly, I wanted to punch her. This bitch was crazy asf like pls no one wants them to this extent and honestly I wasn't really a fan of her perspective. She was very psychotic but her povs just made me agitated, I think that is what the author was going for so good job(?) but yeah I feel like seeing everything happening from tegans perspective proved to be more thrilling because we were unaware of the things happening and there was this sense of mystery but from Polly's perspective it was just frustration 😭 because we knew what was happening and we just couldn't help.
Hank, :/ like???? At least he was better than the wife but honestly this couple made me never want to marry and I laughed so much because I remembered that meme- arranged marriage is scary, what if she.. and that fits so well 😭 but Hank was such a weird character. I liked seeing his morals play a role but the way things unraveled at the end all his morality thing going on felt so meh. I know this seems so messy because I'm trying to not spoil.
Jackson and Simon(?), I actually thought that the storyline would follow them and I was actually invested but then the story switched and there scenes just vanished. I absolutely despise Simon. He's so baaaaad and Jacksons alright I literally have no thoughts for him because there wasn't any development regarding his character for me to form emotions or opinions on.
SPOILERS GOING FURTHER
what was even the point of the plot?? like first we are made to believe that Tegan's conflict would be with Simon the baby daddy but then it quickly switches to her being trapped in a batshit crazy woman's basement so the woman (polly) can find a way to get Tegan's unborn child and LIKE?? Why do you want a kid so bad- like okay yes kids are cute and good and obviously love them but to go to this extent- thats too much work. If I was living where she was living with a partner like Hank, i would wrap myself in a blanket, make a cup of hot cocoa and read a fucking book. Honestly, I was enjoying the plot and I was very invested to see where this would go and like how Tegan will get out because each day she was getting more crazy but the ending?? nah uh.
The classic unpredictable frieda mcfadden plot twists were found dead here. It felt so predictable what was about to happen and like Polly coming to get that baby from Tegan WHILE SHE WAS IN A HOSPITAL but then thought yk what maybe later and went awayyy felt so meh and his brother being bad was just dropped out of nowhere. It felt so out of place and the whole hank killing sadies dad and adopting him..I saw it coming form a mile away but I thought that polly would do it instead of Hank but it was obvious when they found the police near her house that it was Hank and that for hank was very eh as well.
Honestly the plot wasnt plotting in this one.
SPOILERS END
Overall, I just wish that the tenant is better.
__
Look this was very fun to read and I quote literally read it in one sitting but the ending was so shit 😭 RTC tbh because 🥴
__
Slept at the wrong hour 🧍🏻 now I'm gonna be awake the whole night sooo might as well just read a Freida book
__
Freida this is not good for your health 🙏🏻 sleep please.
That being said, I'll absolutely eat it up!!
Where the fuck do I even start-
I was supposed to start it on the 28th but I scrolled insta all day 🧍🏻 and yesterday I actually had no hot to read this but l because I had so many assignments.... So by the time I got done ( 1 am) I picked this up and I literally finished it by 4:40 😭😭 like I read it so quick and I actually had no hopes of read it this quick but it was very easy to read.
I think that's what I like about Freida McFaddens books they are very enjoyable and easy to read so like that automatically puts them on the three star region and the plot twist or how well she carries the whole plot determines whether it's 4/5 or 2 😭 and in this instance it was the latter. While I love the thrilling vibe (minimal, but still enticing) and the fast paced nature of this book, I could not overlook the factors that hindered my enjoyment level for this book.
I don't know though to be honest, if the cause of this is Frieda working overtime when writing isn't even her full-time job, to publish four novels a year that is putting a strain in the quality of the books that she publishes but I fear, it's time for her to take a break because no matter what I rate a Freida book, I always manage to enjoy it. I've not read that many books by her- only 6 (including this one) and this and the one that was published before this were the only ones I rated two stars so the quality of her new books is definitely dropping. Her books are a guilty pleasure for me. You give me her books and I would enjoy them sm so I actually cannot give up on this author 😭✋🏻 but the plot twist in this one was the weakest and honestly it kind of made the plot look shallow.
Enough yapping ✋🏻 time to get to the characters.
Tegan, for a Freida McFadden FMC...she was actually decent loll. She didn't make me want to pull my hair out in frustration and she also had me hooked in her monologue like I was very invested and at first I thought the story revolving her would deal with her soon to be born babys daddy 😭 but boy was I wrong because the crash happened and everything switched and honestly I still didn't mind it. She was willing to fight and was actually smart (as compared to Frieda's other FMC'S 🙏🏻). I feel like Freida did a smart thing by making her injured so like she quite literally was bound otherwise I'm pretty sure considering the way this story went she would have annoyed the fuck out of me but I'm glad that didn't happen.
Polly, I wanted to punch her. This bitch was crazy asf like pls no one wants them to this extent and honestly I wasn't really a fan of her perspective. She was very psychotic but her povs just made me agitated, I think that is what the author was going for so good job(?) but yeah I feel like seeing everything happening from tegans perspective proved to be more thrilling because we were unaware of the things happening and there was this sense of mystery but from Polly's perspective it was just frustration 😭 because we knew what was happening and we just couldn't help.
Hank, :/ like???? At least he was better than the wife but honestly this couple made me never want to marry and I laughed so much because I remembered that meme- arranged marriage is scary, what if she.. and that fits so well 😭 but Hank was such a weird character. I liked seeing his morals play a role but the way things unraveled at the end all his morality thing going on felt so meh. I know this seems so messy because I'm trying to not spoil.
Jackson and Simon(?), I actually thought that the storyline would follow them and I was actually invested but then the story switched and there scenes just vanished. I absolutely despise Simon. He's so baaaaad and Jacksons alright I literally have no thoughts for him because there wasn't any development regarding his character for me to form emotions or opinions on.
SPOILERS GOING FURTHER
what was even the point of the plot?? like first we are made to believe that Tegan's conflict would be with Simon the baby daddy but then it quickly switches to her being trapped in a batshit crazy woman's basement so the woman (polly) can find a way to get Tegan's unborn child and LIKE?? Why do you want a kid so bad- like okay yes kids are cute and good and obviously love them but to go to this extent- thats too much work. If I was living where she was living with a partner like Hank, i would wrap myself in a blanket, make a cup of hot cocoa and read a fucking book. Honestly, I was enjoying the plot and I was very invested to see where this would go and like how Tegan will get out because each day she was getting more crazy but the ending?? nah uh.
The classic unpredictable frieda mcfadden plot twists were found dead here. It felt so predictable what was about to happen and like Polly coming to get that baby from Tegan WHILE SHE WAS IN A HOSPITAL but then thought yk what maybe later and went awayyy felt so meh and his brother being bad was just dropped out of nowhere. It felt so out of place and the whole hank killing sadies dad and adopting him..I saw it coming form a mile away but I thought that polly would do it instead of Hank but it was obvious when they found the police near her house that it was Hank and that for hank was very eh as well.
Honestly the plot wasnt plotting in this one.
SPOILERS END
Overall, I just wish that the tenant is better.
__
Look this was very fun to read and I quote literally read it in one sitting but the ending was so shit 😭 RTC tbh because 🥴
__
Slept at the wrong hour 🧍🏻 now I'm gonna be awake the whole night sooo might as well just read a Freida book
__
Freida this is not good for your health 🙏🏻 sleep please.
That being said, I'll absolutely eat it up!!
April 27, 2025
➳
2/5 stars
I’ve always been a fan of Frieda’s books, and I was so sure I’d love this one too, until I actually finished it. Honestly, this book felt like a repeat of The Boyfriend, her last release. I was beyond excited when I started it, but by the end, I was so disappointed. The entire story felt like a chaotic nightmare that led to a mediocre and predictable conclusion.
The plot twist? Let’s just say it wasn’t hard to figure out, and it honestly had me rolling my eyes. I don’t mean to tell Frieda how to do her job like she has written some incredible books that are absolute bangers, and I’ve been her fan for a long time, but her last two releases have felt so unlike her usual work.
Just like The Boyfriend, this book kept me on edge the whole time, only to deliver a twist that was way too easy to see coming. Even though the storylines are different, the predictable execution made them feel oddly similar. Frieda has so much talent, and I know she can do better!
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK —
This book follows Tegan Warner, a 23-year-old woman who’s pregnant and traveling to meet her brother in another town. But fate has other plans, she gets into a car accident and crashes into a tree. Thankfully, she’s saved by a man named Hank, who takes her to his home. Sounds like the start of a rescue story, right? Well, not quite.
Hank’s wife Polly, who happens to be a nurse, tends to Tegan but not in the way you’d expect. To say she keeps Tegan captive would be putting it lightly. Despite knowing the risks of not giving Teagan proper medical care, she couldn’t care less about her condition. But just when you think all hope is lost, the story takes a turn, and somehow, this wild ride wraps up with a happily-ever-after.
➳ ABOUT THE CHARACTERS —
Now, this might come as a surprise, but Tegan Warner is the only FMC I’ve read in a thriller who actually had a functioning brain. Even after everything she went through, being in a car accident, being pregnant, and having a broken ankle, this girl fought tooth and nail to save herself and her unborn baby. Her determination was incredible.
Sure, she made a few dumb decisions here and there, but they were easy to overlook because most of the time, she did what was best for both of them. What I loved most about her was that she never gave up, not even once. Her resilience made her the only tolerable character in the book, and honestly, I couldn’t help but root for her.
As for the couple who “saved” her...where do I even begin? Hank was essentially described as a human Bigfoot, massive, giant, and large. We get it, he’s huge, but did it need to be repeated every other paragraph? It was more annoying than anything else.
And then there’s Polly...oh, Polly. This woman was infuriating. The lengths she went to for her selfish desires were downright disturbing. I get that she suffered losses, and I sympathize with that, but let’s be real, dealing with grief doesn’t give you the right to make others suffer. Her actions were beyond cruel, and I hated her guts for it.
➳ ABOUT THE WRITING—
I’ve always loved Frieda’s writing, it’s simple, easy to read, and always manages to keep you hooked from start to finish. This book was no different in that sense. From the moment I started, I couldn’t put it down. Her storytelling has this undeniable grip, pulling you in with every chapter.
But then came the plot twist, and...well, it left me disappointed. I had high expectations, especially knowing what Frieda is capable of, but this one just didn’t deliver the way I hoped it would. The twist felt underwhelming, which made the overall story lose some of its charm for me.
That being said, there’s still something about Frieda’s books that I can’t resist. Even when the plot doesn’t hit the mark, the way she writes keeps you invested, turning the pages late into the night. That’s the magic of her stories, they reel you in and refuse to let go. For that, I’ll always be a fan.
°˖➴ "Overall, if you’re in the mood for a thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish, this could be the perfect pick for you, especially if you’re already a fan of Frieda’s work!" 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
୨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - december 27, 2024
guess who got the arc of her most anticipated read of the year?! that’s right, me!!
yayyy, i can’t stop screaming omgg 😩🤌🏻
I’ve always been a fan of Frieda’s books, and I was so sure I’d love this one too, until I actually finished it. Honestly, this book felt like a repeat of The Boyfriend, her last release. I was beyond excited when I started it, but by the end, I was so disappointed. The entire story felt like a chaotic nightmare that led to a mediocre and predictable conclusion.
The plot twist? Let’s just say it wasn’t hard to figure out, and it honestly had me rolling my eyes. I don’t mean to tell Frieda how to do her job like she has written some incredible books that are absolute bangers, and I’ve been her fan for a long time, but her last two releases have felt so unlike her usual work.
Just like The Boyfriend, this book kept me on edge the whole time, only to deliver a twist that was way too easy to see coming. Even though the storylines are different, the predictable execution made them feel oddly similar. Frieda has so much talent, and I know she can do better!
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK —
This book follows Tegan Warner, a 23-year-old woman who’s pregnant and traveling to meet her brother in another town. But fate has other plans, she gets into a car accident and crashes into a tree. Thankfully, she’s saved by a man named Hank, who takes her to his home. Sounds like the start of a rescue story, right? Well, not quite.
Hank’s wife Polly, who happens to be a nurse, tends to Tegan but not in the way you’d expect. To say she keeps Tegan captive would be putting it lightly. Despite knowing the risks of not giving Teagan proper medical care, she couldn’t care less about her condition. But just when you think all hope is lost, the story takes a turn, and somehow, this wild ride wraps up with a happily-ever-after.
➳ ABOUT THE CHARACTERS —
Now, this might come as a surprise, but Tegan Warner is the only FMC I’ve read in a thriller who actually had a functioning brain. Even after everything she went through, being in a car accident, being pregnant, and having a broken ankle, this girl fought tooth and nail to save herself and her unborn baby. Her determination was incredible.
Sure, she made a few dumb decisions here and there, but they were easy to overlook because most of the time, she did what was best for both of them. What I loved most about her was that she never gave up, not even once. Her resilience made her the only tolerable character in the book, and honestly, I couldn’t help but root for her.
As for the couple who “saved” her...where do I even begin? Hank was essentially described as a human Bigfoot, massive, giant, and large. We get it, he’s huge, but did it need to be repeated every other paragraph? It was more annoying than anything else.
And then there’s Polly...oh, Polly. This woman was infuriating. The lengths she went to for her selfish desires were downright disturbing. I get that she suffered losses, and I sympathize with that, but let’s be real, dealing with grief doesn’t give you the right to make others suffer. Her actions were beyond cruel, and I hated her guts for it.
➳ ABOUT THE WRITING—
I’ve always loved Frieda’s writing, it’s simple, easy to read, and always manages to keep you hooked from start to finish. This book was no different in that sense. From the moment I started, I couldn’t put it down. Her storytelling has this undeniable grip, pulling you in with every chapter.
But then came the plot twist, and...well, it left me disappointed. I had high expectations, especially knowing what Frieda is capable of, but this one just didn’t deliver the way I hoped it would. The twist felt underwhelming, which made the overall story lose some of its charm for me.
That being said, there’s still something about Frieda’s books that I can’t resist. Even when the plot doesn’t hit the mark, the way she writes keeps you invested, turning the pages late into the night. That’s the magic of her stories, they reel you in and refuse to let go. For that, I’ll always be a fan.
°˖➴ "Overall, if you’re in the mood for a thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish, this could be the perfect pick for you, especially if you’re already a fan of Frieda’s work!" 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
୨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - december 27, 2024
guess who got the arc of her most anticipated read of the year?! that’s right, me!!
yayyy, i can’t stop screaming omgg 😩🤌🏻
May 5, 2025
i’m not even going to sugarcoat it — this book was horrendous
❥ minus half a star for ‘Little Tuna’ 🥴
❥ minus one star for the utterly stupid + delusional characters
❥ minus half a star for the copious mentions of leg/ankle pain (we get it, you’re in pain!!!)
❥ minus one star for the terribly annoying + repetitive writing
❥ minus half a star for being anticlimactic and very predictable (that ending was awful)
so we’re at…. 1.5 stars! i am graciously rounding up like the nice human i am. (edit: nevermind, i decided to round down 🙂)
i have read four of freida’s books and i have previously described her writing as ‘bingeable’ and ‘easy to read’, just to be nice.
all along, i really just meant it’s genuinely BAD, uninspired , + simple writing and i wanted nothing more than to get it over with. this book is no different. how she’s so popular, i genuinely do not know.
i’m done with freida indefinitely…
◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥
book club read!
read with us here ♡
◣──•~❉᯽❉~•──◢
❥ minus half a star for ‘Little Tuna’ 🥴
❥ minus one star for the utterly stupid + delusional characters
❥ minus half a star for the copious mentions of leg/ankle pain (we get it, you’re in pain!!!)
❥ minus one star for the terribly annoying + repetitive writing
❥ minus half a star for being anticlimactic and very predictable (that ending was awful)
so we’re at…. 1.5 stars! i am graciously rounding up like the nice human i am. (edit: nevermind, i decided to round down 🙂)
i have read four of freida’s books and i have previously described her writing as ‘bingeable’ and ‘easy to read’, just to be nice.
all along, i really just meant it’s genuinely BAD, uninspired , + simple writing and i wanted nothing more than to get it over with. this book is no different. how she’s so popular, i genuinely do not know.
i’m done with freida indefinitely…
◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥
book club read!
read with us here ♡
◣──•~❉᯽❉~•──◢
February 5, 2025
I would love to see this as a tv show/movie. I liked it a lot - a little bit repetitive & slow in the middle but I stayed engaged & would recommend to anyone looking for a quick read or to get out of a reading slump.
February 6, 2025
The amount of times “tuna” was written in this book should be illegal
March 11, 2025
what in the fuck was that.
February 2, 2025
If Temu wrote Misery.
February 16, 2025
Not the worst book I’ve ever read, quick and bingeable for sure. I really loved the first half but it ended up being pretty tame and predictable for a Freida book. Twists weren’t really twisting enough for me.
February 4, 2025
Typical Freida book. Dumb fmc with half a brain cell finds herself in a situation that could have easily been prevented had she used a tiny bit of common sense. This was honestly annoying and the only positive was that it was a quick read. I really did love some of Freida’s books, but her recent releases have gotten so predictable and underwhelming. I think girlie needs a break.
July 7, 2025
this was pretty fucking loathsome.
don't care if this spoils the book, but i really need authors to stop making infertile characters in books SO desperate for babies that they try and steal other peoples'. i understand that this is fiction & i do know that people have attempted that particular crime irl. but it's so tired. and makes an already pretty outcast group feel even shittier about their biology.
oh, this was also incredibly poorly written and not fun lol.
don't care if this spoils the book, but i really need authors to stop making infertile characters in books SO desperate for babies that they try and steal other peoples'. i understand that this is fiction & i do know that people have attempted that particular crime irl. but it's so tired. and makes an already pretty outcast group feel even shittier about their biology.
oh, this was also incredibly poorly written and not fun lol.
February 1, 2025
I NEED A TUNA SANDWICH TO CHEER ME UP!!!!!!!!
The Crash is following 8 months pregnant Tegan who is struggling and going through her pregnancy alone. After speaking to her brother who tells her that she should come and stay with him, she hits the road in the middle of a blizzard and ends up with a totaled car and a broken ankle. She is luckily rescued by a couple who offer her shelter until the snow clears. But all is not well, because the couple are acting weird and with a broken ankle Tegan has no choice but to try and use her smarts to find a way to escape to protect herself and her unborn.
Ok first off, I must commend Freida on FINALLY creating a main character who is not completely dumb with an astronomical low IQ. The crash was an easy read because Tegan was tolerable and someone, I was happy to root for. She was a normal heroine that used the facilities she had to try and escape her nightmare. REFRESHING🙌🏾
The story is told in four parts, and I have different emotions:
PART 1 - We are getting the backstory on Tegan and her situation with why she is pregnant and alone. When the explanation comes it is quite dark, but Freida doesn’t overly detail the situation too much but its enough to have empath for Tegan and want the best for her overall. The pacing is good but not particularly thrilling. I notice too that it is not jam packed with over descriptions and it doesn’t feel repetitive. OK FREIDA YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION!!!😏
PART 2 - Ok we are on the road and the accident happens and its piquing my interest. It’s a little ominous but its quite clear who can and cannot be trusted. The couple feel quite caricature and the story is starting to feel like something I have read many times before, but Freida’s writing is easy enough to keep me going to find out more. Major issue with part two is that its winter and Tegan is stuck in a snowstorm, but I physically can’t picture It and the atmospheric elements are just not giving!
PART 3 - Please be so for real!!! WHERE IS THE THRILLERRRRRRRRRRR!? There is a lot of unhinged dialogue taking place and things conveniently happening for story sakes but I’m not entertained and there hasn’t even been any twists yet. BORE🙄
PART 4 - I BEG YOUR FINEST PARDON!?! Is that it!???? I mean granted I didn’t guess the twist and it wasn’t predictable but in this case its not something to be excited about because its soooooo UNDERWHELMING! like I felt absolutely nothing! The consequences and repercussions for some of the characters were just OK and for others just diabolical! You’re telling me I went through 338 pages for this BLASÉ conclusion. Thanks, no thanks!
EPILOGUE CRINGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The writing and storytelling were better in The Crash and held my attention. But this is not a book that I will be raving about or will even remember in 24 hours. Obviously, suspension of disbelief is necessary with any Freida book but the plot holes in this one was so annoying. I didn’t completely hate it but I far from loved it. Freida’s books are easy to read and helps pass the time quicker so kudos to her for that I suppose. Overall, it was just a bland mediocre story.
Anyway, Freida you know I am in a complete chokehold when it comes to you, so I will see you in THE TENANT
SPOILER
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
➼ Can someone please help me with the prologue. It clearly isn't Tegan's POV so who was it... Hank??
➼ Also make it make sense how Polly has full custody of Sadie when earlier in the book she said that her adoption rights were revoked after her tomfoolery at the hospital!?
2.5 ⭐
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Freida sweetie!!!
Please lets have a good fun twisty time with this one!
Hoping it doesn't Crash and Burn 😏
I have my fingers and toes TIGHTLY crossed
🤍❤️💙
The Crash is following 8 months pregnant Tegan who is struggling and going through her pregnancy alone. After speaking to her brother who tells her that she should come and stay with him, she hits the road in the middle of a blizzard and ends up with a totaled car and a broken ankle. She is luckily rescued by a couple who offer her shelter until the snow clears. But all is not well, because the couple are acting weird and with a broken ankle Tegan has no choice but to try and use her smarts to find a way to escape to protect herself and her unborn.
Ok first off, I must commend Freida on FINALLY creating a main character who is not completely dumb with an astronomical low IQ. The crash was an easy read because Tegan was tolerable and someone, I was happy to root for. She was a normal heroine that used the facilities she had to try and escape her nightmare. REFRESHING🙌🏾
The story is told in four parts, and I have different emotions:
PART 1 - We are getting the backstory on Tegan and her situation with why she is pregnant and alone. When the explanation comes it is quite dark, but Freida doesn’t overly detail the situation too much but its enough to have empath for Tegan and want the best for her overall. The pacing is good but not particularly thrilling. I notice too that it is not jam packed with over descriptions and it doesn’t feel repetitive. OK FREIDA YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION!!!😏
PART 2 - Ok we are on the road and the accident happens and its piquing my interest. It’s a little ominous but its quite clear who can and cannot be trusted. The couple feel quite caricature and the story is starting to feel like something I have read many times before, but Freida’s writing is easy enough to keep me going to find out more. Major issue with part two is that its winter and Tegan is stuck in a snowstorm, but I physically can’t picture It and the atmospheric elements are just not giving!
PART 3 - Please be so for real!!! WHERE IS THE THRILLERRRRRRRRRRR!? There is a lot of unhinged dialogue taking place and things conveniently happening for story sakes but I’m not entertained and there hasn’t even been any twists yet. BORE🙄
PART 4 - I BEG YOUR FINEST PARDON!?! Is that it!???? I mean granted I didn’t guess the twist and it wasn’t predictable but in this case its not something to be excited about because its soooooo UNDERWHELMING! like I felt absolutely nothing! The consequences and repercussions for some of the characters were just OK and for others just diabolical! You’re telling me I went through 338 pages for this BLASÉ conclusion. Thanks, no thanks!
EPILOGUE CRINGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The writing and storytelling were better in The Crash and held my attention. But this is not a book that I will be raving about or will even remember in 24 hours. Obviously, suspension of disbelief is necessary with any Freida book but the plot holes in this one was so annoying. I didn’t completely hate it but I far from loved it. Freida’s books are easy to read and helps pass the time quicker so kudos to her for that I suppose. Overall, it was just a bland mediocre story.
Anyway, Freida you know I am in a complete chokehold when it comes to you, so I will see you in THE TENANT
SPOILER
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➼ Can someone please help me with the prologue. It clearly isn't Tegan's POV so who was it... Hank??
➼ Also make it make sense how Polly has full custody of Sadie when earlier in the book she said that her adoption rights were revoked after her tomfoolery at the hospital!?
2.5 ⭐
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⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Freida sweetie!!!
Please lets have a good fun twisty time with this one!
Hoping it doesn't Crash and Burn 😏
I have my fingers and toes TIGHTLY crossed
🤍❤️💙
February 7, 2025
LOL This was so unrealistic (no surprise there) and I didn't like anyone except for Hank, but it wasn't terrible?
Idk. I predicted every 'twist', so there's that. Freida is really taking 'the dumbest fmc ever possible challenge' and running with it... but it was a kind of welcome change of pace with the heavy books I've been reading recently.
Probably surprising that I'm going to slap 3 stars on this thang for now. Full RTC.
Buddy reading with my January Aquarius twin Manas ❤️
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Idk. I predicted every 'twist', so there's that. Freida is really taking 'the dumbest fmc ever possible challenge' and running with it... but it was a kind of welcome change of pace with the heavy books I've been reading recently.
Probably surprising that I'm going to slap 3 stars on this thang for now. Full RTC.
Buddy reading with my January Aquarius twin Manas ❤️
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
January 30, 2025
i liked the first couple chapters, they were so good that i actually convinced myself that i was going to give this book four stars — but then... the story took a turn that i did not like. i kept pushing through though because, despite everything, the plot still kept me hooked and i was somewhat positive that the twist would blow my mind. spoiler alert: it didn’t. it was absolutely ridiculous, bland and completely unsatisfying.
this is what i get for trusting this author, i guess. i won’t do that again.
this is what i get for trusting this author, i guess. i won’t do that again.
February 23, 2025
GRATEFUL FOR THIS BOOK because it yanked me out of my reading slump!!! It kept my attention, and I actually liked all the pieces of the story! Not my favorite Freida, but I good junky thriller if you need to kickstart your reading 🩵
January 28, 2025
the lamest thriller that i have ever read in my fucking life
February 6, 2025
Freida McFadden is out here writing books faster than I can decide what to read next and somehow, she still delivers every time. The Crash is another solid thriller that had me hooked from the start. A pregnant woman, a snowstorm, a creepy couple offering “help”… yeah, I knew I was in for a ride. I read this in four hours, in one sitting, completely ignoring the rest of the world. Responsibilities? Who? Couldn’t be me. The suspense had me on edge, and while some twists were predictable, the execution was top-tier. Another addicting read from queen Freida. At this rate she’s probably finished writing three more books while I’m typing this review.
Want to read
January 31, 2025⌈pre-read⌋
I will read about anything Freida writes at this point!!!🥰
The cover is giving "No Exit" vibes which is one of my fav thrillers❄ Can't wait to read this!!
I will read about anything Freida writes at this point!!!🥰
The cover is giving "No Exit" vibes which is one of my fav thrillers❄ Can't wait to read this!!
August 29, 2025
**spoilers review**
i didn’t know how I was going to feel about this book, especially since it was my first freida mcFadden book. I’ve seen so many of her fans rave about her earlier works, but I’d also heard people say this one was a burnout—just a recycled version of what she’s done before. The fact that I also felt like this book was a burnout, even as someone new to her writing, says a lot about how disappointing it turned out to be.
I was this 🤏🏼 close to giving it a one star. the only thing that saved it was how insanely addictive it was. I ended up finishing it in about three hours, and to be fair, it did pull me out of the book slump I’ve been stuck in since last November. that alone has me considering picking up some of her other books. But if this one is anything to go by, my expectations won’t be too high so I’ll be here for the page-turner writing.
the story starts off with tegan, who is heavily pregnant and dealing with some serious drama involving her baby daddy. then, out of nowhere, she gets into a car accident and is rescued by this seemingly kind couple. But, plot twist: the wife turns out to be a psychotic woman obsessed with pregnant women because she’s infertile. From there, things take a turn and not necessarily for the better.
let me just say, based on the opening, I assumed the book would revolve around Tegan and her issues with the father of her baby. I was fully prepared for that to be the central conflict. But The car accident completely shifts the focus, and suddenly it’s all about the psycho wife keeping Tegan hostage. and the wild part that Tegan doesn’t even suspect the wife at first she’s convinced it’s the husband behind it all. This whole setup was just... weird. It wasn’t the kind of plot I expected or wanted, and I found it more disturbing in an "are you serious?" way than in a thrilling one.
speaking of thrills, this book didn’t give me ANY. I didn’t feel scared, creeped out, or even mildly unsettled while reading it. and isn’t that the whole point of a thriller? especially since how famous frieda is… The wife might have been unhinged, but all she really did was take care of tegan while secretly planning to steal her baby. that’s it. there was no intense build up, no shocking moments while Tegan was being held captive. it just felt more like a drama than a thriller. If this were a movie, maybe it would’ve come across better, but in book form monologues made their actions so obvious that any tension just evaporated.
let’s talk also about the prologue. I was so confused. It wasn’t clear whose perspective it was from, and by the end of the book, I could only assume it was Hank since he was the only character who actually killed someone. But why make the prologue that vague? Neither Polly nor tegan killed anyone, so it had to be him, right? I even went back to reread it after finishing the book, and it still left me scratching my head.
as for the big “reveals,” they were about as exciting as watching paint dry. Hank killing Sadie’s dad? Her brother causing the crash? These twists were so bland and predictable that I couldn’t even muster a reaction. By the time I reached the ending, I was just glad the book was short enough to finish in one sitting.
please polly the psycho wife was the one who saved tagen and tagen was thankful for her? what is this tomfoolery? why are you thankful? or the fact that tagen’s sexual assault was so glossed over. I hate when authors use such sensitive subject as a plot twists and what’s worst is when they don’t acknowledge it or treat it respectfully. I’m not telling you to go on tagen healing or anything since this book is a thriller but just acknowledging it a bit would be nice.
to sum it up, if you’re stuck in a reading slump and need something quick and mindlessly entertaining, this might be worth picking up. But if you’re looking for a genuinely good thriller with actual good twists then Look elsewhere.
— ALC provided by the publisher Dreamscape Media.
i didn’t know how I was going to feel about this book, especially since it was my first freida mcFadden book. I’ve seen so many of her fans rave about her earlier works, but I’d also heard people say this one was a burnout—just a recycled version of what she’s done before. The fact that I also felt like this book was a burnout, even as someone new to her writing, says a lot about how disappointing it turned out to be.
I was this 🤏🏼 close to giving it a one star. the only thing that saved it was how insanely addictive it was. I ended up finishing it in about three hours, and to be fair, it did pull me out of the book slump I’ve been stuck in since last November. that alone has me considering picking up some of her other books. But if this one is anything to go by, my expectations won’t be too high so I’ll be here for the page-turner writing.
the story starts off with tegan, who is heavily pregnant and dealing with some serious drama involving her baby daddy. then, out of nowhere, she gets into a car accident and is rescued by this seemingly kind couple. But, plot twist: the wife turns out to be a psychotic woman obsessed with pregnant women because she’s infertile. From there, things take a turn and not necessarily for the better.
let me just say, based on the opening, I assumed the book would revolve around Tegan and her issues with the father of her baby. I was fully prepared for that to be the central conflict. But The car accident completely shifts the focus, and suddenly it’s all about the psycho wife keeping Tegan hostage. and the wild part that Tegan doesn’t even suspect the wife at first she’s convinced it’s the husband behind it all. This whole setup was just... weird. It wasn’t the kind of plot I expected or wanted, and I found it more disturbing in an "are you serious?" way than in a thrilling one.
speaking of thrills, this book didn’t give me ANY. I didn’t feel scared, creeped out, or even mildly unsettled while reading it. and isn’t that the whole point of a thriller? especially since how famous frieda is… The wife might have been unhinged, but all she really did was take care of tegan while secretly planning to steal her baby. that’s it. there was no intense build up, no shocking moments while Tegan was being held captive. it just felt more like a drama than a thriller. If this were a movie, maybe it would’ve come across better, but in book form monologues made their actions so obvious that any tension just evaporated.
let’s talk also about the prologue. I was so confused. It wasn’t clear whose perspective it was from, and by the end of the book, I could only assume it was Hank since he was the only character who actually killed someone. But why make the prologue that vague? Neither Polly nor tegan killed anyone, so it had to be him, right? I even went back to reread it after finishing the book, and it still left me scratching my head.
as for the big “reveals,” they were about as exciting as watching paint dry. Hank killing Sadie’s dad? Her brother causing the crash? These twists were so bland and predictable that I couldn’t even muster a reaction. By the time I reached the ending, I was just glad the book was short enough to finish in one sitting.
please polly the psycho wife was the one who saved tagen and tagen was thankful for her? what is this tomfoolery? why are you thankful? or the fact that tagen’s sexual assault was so glossed over. I hate when authors use such sensitive subject as a plot twists and what’s worst is when they don’t acknowledge it or treat it respectfully. I’m not telling you to go on tagen healing or anything since this book is a thriller but just acknowledging it a bit would be nice.
to sum it up, if you’re stuck in a reading slump and need something quick and mindlessly entertaining, this might be worth picking up. But if you’re looking for a genuinely good thriller with actual good twists then Look elsewhere.
— ALC provided by the publisher Dreamscape Media.
February 5, 2025
can’t believe this doesn’t have more one star reviews LMAOOOOO
Freida’s worst book… and that says a lot because that weird pedo book called the teacher exists. Elevator pitch: preggo woman is held hostage by a crazy lady who wants her unborn baby. Plot twists were barely surprising and why did we basically know everything the whole time? Yawn.
Weird as. Get rid of it xx
Freida’s worst book… and that says a lot because that weird pedo book called the teacher exists. Elevator pitch: preggo woman is held hostage by a crazy lady who wants her unborn baby. Plot twists were barely surprising and why did we basically know everything the whole time? Yawn.
Weird as. Get rid of it xx
August 25, 2025
Oh boy! I could sing “Anxiety” at the top of my lungs after reading this book! It put me completely on edge—my nerves were tighter than guitar strings! This felt like a modern version of Misery—and it’s brilliantly executed!
We follow Tegan, a 23-year-old runaway mother, who, after discovering a traumatic secret about her one-night stand, ends up trapped in a basement during a snow blizzard after a car crash leaves her with a broken leg. The couple she’s forced to stay with gives off the most horrifying vibes: bearded lumberjack Hank, who eerily resembles Dexter’s look at the season finale before the character’s resurrection, and Polly, a nurse suffering from fertility issues and suspended from her job after a breakdown—giving major young Kathy Bates energy!
Will Tegan find a way to escape and protect her unborn baby (lovingly nicknamed "Tuna"—yes, she consumes way too much tuna, mercury concerns be damned)? And even if she does escape, could there be even greater dangers lurking outside?
Pop your popcorn, chill your beers, settle into your seat, grab this book, and cancel the outside world! There’s nothing good to stream this weekend (even Tom Hardy’s latest Netflix movie is a flop), so trust me—this wild, nerve-shredding ride is so much better than some of the latest McFadden works!
This book deserves all the hype! I’m truly slapping myself for waiting so long to dive into it!
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We follow Tegan, a 23-year-old runaway mother, who, after discovering a traumatic secret about her one-night stand, ends up trapped in a basement during a snow blizzard after a car crash leaves her with a broken leg. The couple she’s forced to stay with gives off the most horrifying vibes: bearded lumberjack Hank, who eerily resembles Dexter’s look at the season finale before the character’s resurrection, and Polly, a nurse suffering from fertility issues and suspended from her job after a breakdown—giving major young Kathy Bates energy!
Will Tegan find a way to escape and protect her unborn baby (lovingly nicknamed "Tuna"—yes, she consumes way too much tuna, mercury concerns be damned)? And even if she does escape, could there be even greater dangers lurking outside?
Pop your popcorn, chill your beers, settle into your seat, grab this book, and cancel the outside world! There’s nothing good to stream this weekend (even Tom Hardy’s latest Netflix movie is a flop), so trust me—this wild, nerve-shredding ride is so much better than some of the latest McFadden works!
This book deserves all the hype! I’m truly slapping myself for waiting so long to dive into it!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
December 3, 2024
I had a fantastic time reading this and it surpassed my expectations based on the quality of Freida’s recent books. It was refreshing as it didn’t feel like typical Freida book (in a good way). It was definitely giving big housemaid vibes but not a cut and paste.
I found myself so captivated around until around the 60% mark then honestly it was quite repetitive until the ending after that.
I LOVED the messaging at the end of the book, it’s not often Freida gives us an ending like this 🥺
However, definitely some bits that didn’t make sense and just literally wouldn’t happen, like anyone who’s even partially sane would not have made half these decisions but anyway…
Great thriller for winter time, definitely gave snowed in vibes. But as I always caveat, be mindful this is a popcorn thriller and good time, not the next Donna Tartt x
I found myself so captivated around until around the 60% mark then honestly it was quite repetitive until the ending after that.
I LOVED the messaging at the end of the book, it’s not often Freida gives us an ending like this 🥺
However, definitely some bits that didn’t make sense and just literally wouldn’t happen, like anyone who’s even partially sane would not have made half these decisions but anyway…
Great thriller for winter time, definitely gave snowed in vibes. But as I always caveat, be mindful this is a popcorn thriller and good time, not the next Donna Tartt x
January 29, 2025
glad that’s over.
February 17, 2025
First off, let’s talk about the characters.
Tegan is a decently refreshing change from the typical female lead. She’s not the usual “dumb” character we often see—she actually has a bit of fight in her. Yes, she makes some questionable decisions, but nothing that feels out of character or impossible to understand. While there were moments she frustrated me, I still found myself rooting for her most of the time. That said, I do think her injury played a big role in keeping her grounded—without it, she might have been just as insufferable as some of the other characters.
Polly... I really don’t know what to say about her. But if your intention was to write her this way, then congratulations, you absolutely succeeded.
Hank wasn’t the worst, but he certainly wasn’t the best either. The only real thing I learned about him was that he’s big and strong, but beyond that, his personality felt flat. Even his morals seemed unclear—was he driven by a real sense of right and wrong, or just going along with whatever suited him? I wish there had been more depth to who he was beyond his physical strength.
Jackson and Simon: two characters I would’ve loved to learn more about, but they practically vanished within a few chapters. Let’s be honest, neither of them were good people (especially Simon), but Jackson felt like he had the potential for a redemption arc. If the story had stuck with its original characters, maybe we could’ve seen that unfold.
Now onto Parts I to IV.
I actually really enjoyed Part One! It gave me hope that this time, we might be in for something great. Sure, the constant mention of the word “tuna” was a bit excessive, but overall, it kept me engaged and excited for what’s next.
Okay, Part Two—there’s not much to say yet. The plot still feels pretty thin, and reading from Polly’s POV just irritated me, so I guess I’ll just focus on the cover, which I actually love. It perfectly captures that wintery, mystery-thriller vibe I was hoping for. But now, it feels like we’re starting to lose that edge, and I’m not sure where things are headed.
Moving on to Part Three, and… nothing’s happening. Did the plot wander off into the woods and never find its way back? Where did we go so wrong? Surely, things can only get better from here… right? Right?.. The constant use of “tuna” reappears, though, so yeahh… 🫠
And finally, we’ve made it—Part Four! And… still, nothing’s really happening. Jackson makes a brief return, and maybe—just maybe—he got his redemption arc after all! I will say, around the 89% mark, I actually didn’t see that part coming—but at the same time, it felt underwhelming. Mediocre at best, and honestly, pretty stupid for a so-called twist. What’s the point?
And the epilogue? Let’s just say… 🙄🙄🙄
That’s all I’ve got.
SPOILERS!!!
I repeat SPOILERS ahead !!!
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⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
1. So whose POV is the prologue from? It doesn’t seem to be Polly’s, and it couldn’t be Tegan’s either. So is it Hank? He feels like the only possibility at this point. Also, don’t prologues usually tie back into the story somehow, especially toward the end? This one just feels like it was written and then completely forgotten about.
2. So, we all know how her “tomfoolery” at the hospital landed her in a situation for a while. But how do we go from having zero chance of ever adopting or fostering a child to suddenly getting full custody of Sadie? It makes no sense. Are we really supposed to believe that a note from Dr. Salinsky testifying about her excellent mental health magically fixes everything? Was the idea that having a child to care for would stop her from pulling another stunt like that? But how could anyone fully trust her after everything?
3. It was disappointing how the story barely addressed Tegan’s sexual assault. She brought it up multiple times, showing how much it weighed on her, yet we never really saw her process it, heal from it, or even have a meaningful conversation about it. Trauma like that doesn’t just disappear with a snap of your fingers—it deserved more depth and acknowledgment rather than being treated as just another plot point. Yes, I get that this is a mystery-thriller, but come on—you could’ve given me something.
In conclusion; I truly believe this book could have been under 300 pages—trimming a few chapters wouldn’t have made much of a difference.
As for Freida, my love/hate relationship with her writing continues. But hey, it is what it is! I’ll keep reading her books, and who knows? Maybe one day I’ll get another 5-star read from her. We can all have hopes and dreams… maybe one day, one of them will come true.
*waves* Hi… if you actually read this all the way to the end, I applaud you.
Sorry if this felt like a bit of a rant—I’m just annoyed, confused, and bored all at the same time. 😅
Tegan is a decently refreshing change from the typical female lead. She’s not the usual “dumb” character we often see—she actually has a bit of fight in her. Yes, she makes some questionable decisions, but nothing that feels out of character or impossible to understand. While there were moments she frustrated me, I still found myself rooting for her most of the time. That said, I do think her injury played a big role in keeping her grounded—without it, she might have been just as insufferable as some of the other characters.
Polly... I really don’t know what to say about her. But if your intention was to write her this way, then congratulations, you absolutely succeeded.
Hank wasn’t the worst, but he certainly wasn’t the best either. The only real thing I learned about him was that he’s big and strong, but beyond that, his personality felt flat. Even his morals seemed unclear—was he driven by a real sense of right and wrong, or just going along with whatever suited him? I wish there had been more depth to who he was beyond his physical strength.
Jackson and Simon: two characters I would’ve loved to learn more about, but they practically vanished within a few chapters. Let’s be honest, neither of them were good people (especially Simon), but Jackson felt like he had the potential for a redemption arc. If the story had stuck with its original characters, maybe we could’ve seen that unfold.
Now onto Parts I to IV.
I actually really enjoyed Part One! It gave me hope that this time, we might be in for something great. Sure, the constant mention of the word “tuna” was a bit excessive, but overall, it kept me engaged and excited for what’s next.
Okay, Part Two—there’s not much to say yet. The plot still feels pretty thin, and reading from Polly’s POV just irritated me, so I guess I’ll just focus on the cover, which I actually love. It perfectly captures that wintery, mystery-thriller vibe I was hoping for. But now, it feels like we’re starting to lose that edge, and I’m not sure where things are headed.
Moving on to Part Three, and… nothing’s happening. Did the plot wander off into the woods and never find its way back? Where did we go so wrong? Surely, things can only get better from here… right? Right?.. The constant use of “tuna” reappears, though, so yeahh… 🫠
And finally, we’ve made it—Part Four! And… still, nothing’s really happening. Jackson makes a brief return, and maybe—just maybe—he got his redemption arc after all! I will say, around the 89% mark, I actually didn’t see that part coming—but at the same time, it felt underwhelming. Mediocre at best, and honestly, pretty stupid for a so-called twist. What’s the point?
And the epilogue? Let’s just say… 🙄🙄🙄
That’s all I’ve got.
SPOILERS!!!
I repeat SPOILERS ahead !!!
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
1. So whose POV is the prologue from? It doesn’t seem to be Polly’s, and it couldn’t be Tegan’s either. So is it Hank? He feels like the only possibility at this point. Also, don’t prologues usually tie back into the story somehow, especially toward the end? This one just feels like it was written and then completely forgotten about.
2. So, we all know how her “tomfoolery” at the hospital landed her in a situation for a while. But how do we go from having zero chance of ever adopting or fostering a child to suddenly getting full custody of Sadie? It makes no sense. Are we really supposed to believe that a note from Dr. Salinsky testifying about her excellent mental health magically fixes everything? Was the idea that having a child to care for would stop her from pulling another stunt like that? But how could anyone fully trust her after everything?
3. It was disappointing how the story barely addressed Tegan’s sexual assault. She brought it up multiple times, showing how much it weighed on her, yet we never really saw her process it, heal from it, or even have a meaningful conversation about it. Trauma like that doesn’t just disappear with a snap of your fingers—it deserved more depth and acknowledgment rather than being treated as just another plot point. Yes, I get that this is a mystery-thriller, but come on—you could’ve given me something.
In conclusion; I truly believe this book could have been under 300 pages—trimming a few chapters wouldn’t have made much of a difference.
As for Freida, my love/hate relationship with her writing continues. But hey, it is what it is! I’ll keep reading her books, and who knows? Maybe one day I’ll get another 5-star read from her. We can all have hopes and dreams… maybe one day, one of them will come true.
*waves* Hi… if you actually read this all the way to the end, I applaud you.
Sorry if this felt like a bit of a rant—I’m just annoyed, confused, and bored all at the same time. 😅
February 1, 2025
was the thriller in the room with us?
February 3, 2025
Plenty going on in this one. Liked the last part the most, as there were some unexpected developments that I found interesting. The twist was not to my liking unfortunately.
January 31, 2025
Freida has a real gift for making every single character truly insufferable. She was even able to make a fetus annoying.
February 3, 2025
Save yourself and read the better, original, Misery by Stephen King.
January 30, 2025
Yeah… um no.
A pregnant woman gets rescued from a crash by suspicious people. Pretty much reading the synopsis of this book tells you the whole thing. It was extremely predictable.
There weren’t a lot of twists and turns or exciting moments. It was just disturbing to think about what Polly would do just to have a child. It actually amazes me that there are people in this world that are really that sick. I know people are probably like ‘she writes about murder and this and that, but this is what you felt was disturbing?’ I think it is because her books are usually more exciting and thrilling and I personally found Polly to be evil and the plot to be oddly slow and I hated the ending.
And I think one of the main parts of that is that Tegan wasn’t doing much to help herself. It was actually infuriating. You have that little survival instincts that some pain is gonna hold you back? Everything she did was annoying.***Rolls eyes a million times*** Literally nothing would have kept me there like that.
I don’t think there was a single likable character in this entire book. Not just that, but they were all infuriating with their behavior. I normally don’t feel this way with this author’s books and I normally feel more suspense, but this just really annoyed me.
And then the weird plot twists thrown in at the end that got like 2 sentences of the whole book and were so stupid just so she can say the book had a twist. Didn’t work for me.
Is this the worst book ever written? No & I am sure everyone will read it. Is this one of the worst books Freida has ever written? Absolutely. But I’ll read the next one she writes just like I always do.
A pregnant woman gets rescued from a crash by suspicious people. Pretty much reading the synopsis of this book tells you the whole thing. It was extremely predictable.
There weren’t a lot of twists and turns or exciting moments. It was just disturbing to think about what Polly would do just to have a child. It actually amazes me that there are people in this world that are really that sick. I know people are probably like ‘she writes about murder and this and that, but this is what you felt was disturbing?’ I think it is because her books are usually more exciting and thrilling and I personally found Polly to be evil and the plot to be oddly slow and I hated the ending.
And I think one of the main parts of that is that Tegan wasn’t doing much to help herself. It was actually infuriating. You have that little survival instincts that some pain is gonna hold you back? Everything she did was annoying.***Rolls eyes a million times*** Literally nothing would have kept me there like that.
I don’t think there was a single likable character in this entire book. Not just that, but they were all infuriating with their behavior. I normally don’t feel this way with this author’s books and I normally feel more suspense, but this just really annoyed me.
And then the weird plot twists thrown in at the end that got like 2 sentences of the whole book and were so stupid just so she can say the book had a twist. Didn’t work for me.
Is this the worst book ever written? No & I am sure everyone will read it. Is this one of the worst books Freida has ever written? Absolutely. But I’ll read the next one she writes just like I always do.
February 21, 2025
Ridiculous that this was published. HOWWWWW.
Also- the amount of times the word “tuna” was said was absolutely criminal.
Also- the amount of times the word “tuna” was said was absolutely criminal.
February 5, 2025
releasing this mess on our birthday has to be considered a hate crime. thanks for the laughs, heather!
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